Panel board



Dec. 1924- 1,520,452

H. F. STARIQETT PANEL BOARD Filed April 9, 1920 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec.- 23, 1924. 1,520,452

H. F. STARRETT PANEL BOARD Filed April 9, 1920 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 23. 1924. 1,520,452

H. STARRETT PANE LLLL RD Filed April 9, 1920 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 1 lHlflHllLa 23 Dec. 1924- 1,520,452

H. F. STARRETT PANEL BOARD Filed A ril 9, 1920 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 lg 6 m .5 will Patented see. as, was. 3

HENRY F. STARRETT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO STARRETT M'NUFAGTUR- ENG CO'M?ANY, F CHICAGQ, ILLINOIS, A GORLORATION OF ILLINOIS.

EANEL BG ALRD.

Application filed April 9, 3.920. Serial No. sneeze.

To all whom it may concern: necting means between the latter two ele- Be it known that l, HENRY F, STARRETT, ments, it is desirable that the panel-board a citizen of the United States, residing at have a high degree of flexibility. One ob- Chicago, in the county of Cook and State ject of my invention, therefore, is to pro 55 5 of Illinois, have invented new and useful vide a simple and improved construction Improvements in Panel Boards, of which of sectionalized panel-b0ard wherein the the following is a full, clear, concise, and number of sections may be increased as deexact description, reference being had to the sired Without reconstruction and reorganizaaccompanying drawing, forming a part of tion of the board as a Whole. 60

this specification. Another object of my invention is to pro- My invention relates to panel-boards, and vide a panel-board which is composed of a it has particular relation to devices of the number of base sections wherein the bushars character designated wherein the board is are so arranged on the component base secso sectionalized that any desired capacity tions of the board that either a three-wire 5 1 may be accommodated therefrom, and more- System of supply or a two-wire system of over, so constructed that either a three-Wire supply may be connected thereto, and in this of a two-Wire system may be connected particular relation 1 "find that the specific thereto for supply purposes Without subpanel-board sections, which are hereinafter stantially altering the standard construcillustrated, are particularly adapted to the 7 5 11 employed. attainment of the desired end.

F or a better understanding of my inven- Finally the third object of my inventiontion reference may be had to the accompanyis to provide a panel-board wherein the coning drawings wherein nections between the branch-line circuits Fig. 1 is a. front elevational view of a and the main circuits are through protective panel-board constructed 111 accordance with ces 01 terminals and wherein the conmy invention and adapted for connection to nection between the main leads and the the three-wire supply system; branch-lines are easily broken in the indi- Fig. 2 is a. rear elevation-a1 view of the vidual branches by means of a single pole board shown in Fig.1; switch. in this relation I find that the so Fi 3 i a f m glevafiongl 1 w of on switch hereinafter illustrated lends itself ti f th l-board; particularly well to aconstruction which may Fig. l is an enlarged elevational view of a be utilized on the panel-board and occupy a portion of the board showing one of the re minimum of space thereupon by reason of ceptacles thereon, as well as the switching alparticularfeature of its construction, here- 85 as means which is utilized to connect the re inafter described.

t l t a l-b d b b r; in view of the fact that the use of a switch Fig. 5 is a sectional elevational view taken 1n but one side of a branch line circuit is on the line of Fig. i and illustrates in 110W permitted, 1 find that a panel-board detail a particular type of switch. which i constructed, as above intimated, results in a 00 have found to be utilitarian in installations considerable space economy. Inasmuch as it of this character; and is no longer necessary to provide switches Fig. 6 is an clevational view of a panelassociated with the return sides of the board embodying my invention illustrating branch circuits, the fuses therein may be the manner in which the bus bars are conmounted upon one base section, and the latnected when a two-Wire system is utilized ter so aligned in transverse relation with as a. source of supply. the other sections of the panel-board that in the panel-board art, particularly in the space, Which would otherwise be wasted connection with panel-boards which are used if tire last named fuses were mounted in the intermediate a main source of supply and samemanner as the fuses in the outgoing m0 a plurality of branch circuits, and which branch circuits, is utilized. The manner in embody bus bars, fuse receptacles, and con which this 15 accomplishpd w ll W appear in the hereinafter detailed description of my improved panel-board.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, a panel-board comprising upright retaining members 1 and 2, to which are secured panel-board base sections 3. 3, L and- 5, is shown. The sections 3 and 4 may be hereinafter termed receptacle or terminal sections while the section 5, having mounted thereupon a switching means (i, may be designated as a main switch panel.

Mounted upon the base section 4 are a plu *ality of receptacles 7-7 of any conventional type and it will be observed that ln-anch-line circuits may be attached to binding posts 8--8 and thus connected to the receptacles 7. Associated with the base section 4 are bus bars 9, 10 and 11, the buses 9 and 11 being, for purpose of illustration, regarded as adapted for connection to the positive and negative lead wires of a threewire supply system, while the bus 10 may be connected through the switching means 6 to the neutral wire of said three-wire system. The receptacles 7 are, of course, in the illustrated form, provided with center contacts 1212, which are connected by means of switches 13-13 to the positive and negative buses 9 and 11.

Abutting the upper end of the base section 4 is the base section 3 upon which are mounted additional receptacles 14 connected, as shown, directly to transverse bus bar 15. It will be noticed that the last described receptacles 14 and the bus bar 15 are arranged transversely with respect to the receptacles 77 and the busses t), 10 and 11. The bus is connected to an auxillary bus bar 15 1 which latter is adapted to be connected to a corresponding bus on another transverse section and to the bus 10 and it is apparent, therefore, that the receptacles 14 may, through the intermediary of binding posts 16. be connected to theother side ,of the branch-line circuits, it being assumed that the branch circuits each requires a potential im 'iressed thereacross equal. to the potential existing between either the positive or the negative supply lead and the neutral supply lead.

To illustrate the degree of flexibility w rich may be attained I show other more neutral branch-line receptacles positioned on the second individual base sect-ion This section is provided with receptacles 17 which are directly connected to a bus bar 18 and which are provided with appropriate binding posts 19 adapted for connection'to the return leads of the branch-line circuits. .in auxiliary bus bar 20 is provided on the section 3, is. connected to the bus bar 18, and so extends over the edge of the base section 3 and under the edge of the base section 4 that connection may be made between the 05' buses 10, 15 and 18, whereby the last-named bar comprises a portion of the neutral bus bar system.

The base sections may, of course, be arranged in different order from that illustrated in Figure 1, since the section 3 and allother sections which may be added to the board are so formed that they may be added to either end thereof. Moreover, any number of sections, as illustrated at 4, may be added to the board when an increased capacity is desired.

The arran ent shown, results in all of the branchinc-return circuits being positioned at the top of the panel-board and, moreover, admits of a simple and compact arrangement of the outgoing lines in one section of the board, features which are desirable in an apparatus of this character. Moreover, all of the sections, as above intimated, may be made of standardized construction and may, therefore, be installed with little effort.

The advantage of such a construction may be realized from the following considerations. Under the present underwritcrs rules, the insertion of a switch in both lines of a branch circuit derived from a panel-board is not necessary, and I have, therefore, placed a switch in the outgoing lines only, as shown. If now the return line receptacles are disposed on a. base section in the same manner as those in the out- -oing lines, the space which has heretofore been occupied b the switches would be wasted. I there ore, provide a more compact arrangement and eliminate this wasted space by mounting the return line receptacles transversely with respect to the outgoing line receptacles on a separate base section. In this manner substantially twice as many return-line receptacles are accommodated as have been heretofore in a like space.

In Figure 2, wherein the rear of the panelboard is illustrated, it will be noted that the bus bar 10 which was assumed as a neutral bus is mounted upon the rear face ofthe board. In this manner the three bus bars may be carried by the board and a maximum insulation maintained therebetween, although the minimum space is occupied. This figure also illustrates in detail the manner in which the various sections are secured to the retaining members 1 and 2.

Fig. 3 illustrates a standard base section such as those shown at 3 and 3, which may be added to the board to increase the number of branch-line circuits which may be accommodated thereupon.

The particular switching means which I find it desirable to employ, when minimum space requirements are to be satisfied. is illustrated in Figs. -t and 5. The switch 13 comprises a hinged conducting member 21 adapted for rotation about the lug 22 which is connected to one side of the receptacle '7. The member 21 is adapted to be received in a clip 23 and may be forced thereinto by an insulatin -handle portion 24 mounted thereupon. he handle 24 is provided with concave sides 2'5-25. This particular type othandleand small switch construction is beneficial when used on the panel-board because of the minimum space required thereby, and especially because of the ease with which the handle 24: may be grasped to open the switch 13.

It will be noted that each receptacle has associated therewith a raised window-like portion 27. which is adapted to receive and exhibit a designating symbol whereby the circuits derived from the panel-board may be identified.

In Fig. 6 I have illustrated a panel-board having substantially the same characteristics as that illustrated in Fig. 1. in this instance, however, the board is assumed to be used with the two-wire circuit, and, therefore, the branch circuits are impressed with the full potential existing between the positive and negative sides of the supply syslem. The main switching means in this embodiment of my invention consists, of

course, of a double pole switch. The sec-, tionalizing is, however, utilized in the same manner as was described in connection with Fig. l by connecting together the two outside bus bars on the section 4, and utilizing the bus bar 10 as the positive or negative side of the supply system as desired. Moreover, I have shown in this figure, clip retained fuses rather than the plug fuses illustrated in Fig. 1.

As will be observed from the foregoing description I have provided a panel-board wherefrom any desired number of branchline circuits, within certain limits, may be supplied and wherein the various base sections are so constructed that any number thereof may be simply embodied in the board. Moreover, it will. be observed that by aligning the bus bars and the associated receptacles on the various base sections as described," the change from a three-wire to a two-wire panel-board may be efi'ected by a comparatively simple change in the bus bar construction and the subsequent connection to the receptacle base sections of an appropriate pole number switching base section.

While I have described but two embodiments of my invention it is apparent that many modifications therein may occur to 7 those skilled in the art, and I desire, therefore, that the invention be limited only by the showing of the prior art or by the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters-Patent is:

1. In a panel-board, a base section embodying receptacles and having buses mounted thereupon, another base section. embodying receptacles and having a bus mounted thereupon, adapted for aligned association with said first base, the receptacles on said first-named base being adapted for connection to some of its said buses, and all those on second-named base section being adapted for connection only to the other bus on said first mentioned base section.

. In a panel-board, a base having buses mounted thereupon, another base adapted for aligned association with said first base and having a bus mounted thereupon, and means for exclusively connecting one of the buses on said first-named base to the bus on said last-named base.

3. In a panel-board, a base having receptacles associated therewith and having buses mounted thereon, means for connecting some of said receptacles to one of said buses and means for connecting others of said receptacles to another of said buses, another base having a bus mounted thereupon arranged in alignment with said first-named base, and means for exclusively connecting one of said buses on said first-named base with the bus on said last-named bus.

4. In a panel-board, individual base members provided with terminals and having buses mounted thereupon, means for connecting some of the terminals to the bus adjacent thereto, respectively, and means for exclusively connecting the other buses to all of the other terminals.

-5. In a panel-board, a base having terminals thereupon arranged on either side of a medial line thereof, buses mounted upon said base, another base adapted for aligned association with said first-named base and having terminals mounted thereupon, one bus upon said last-named base to which all the terminals thereupon are connected. and means for connecting said last-named bus to one of the busses upon said first-named base.

6. In a panel-board, a base having receptacles thereupon and having receptacles arranged on either side of a medial line thereof, 'buses mounted upon said base member, another base adapted for aligned association with said first-named base and having receptacles mounted thereupon. a bus upon said last-named base to which the receptacles thereupon are connected, and means for connecting said last-named bus to one of the buses upon said first-named base, the receptacles on said last-named base member being aligned transversely with respect to the receptacles on the first-named base member.

7. In a panel-board, a base member provided with branch-line terminals, buses mounted, upon said base, means for connecting (ertain of said buses to said branch line ill) terminals, a second base section adapted for alignment with said first-named base and having terminals mounted thereupon in transverse alignment with the terminals connected to the aforementioned buses, and means for connecting the other bus on said first-named base to the bus on said lastnamed base.

8. In a panel-board, a base member provided with branch-line receptacles, buses mounted upon said base, means for connecting said buses to said branch-line receptacles comprising single throw switches, a second base section adapted for alignment with said first-named base and having receptacles mounted thereupon in transverse alignment with the receptacles connected to the aforementioned buses, and means for connecting the other bus on said first-named base to the bus'on said last-named base.

9. In a panel-board, a base member provided with branch-line receptacles, buses mounted upon said base, means comprising switches provided with a handle portion having concave re-entrant portions thereupon for connecting said buses to said branch-line receptacles, a second base section adapted for alignment with said firstna-med base and having receptacles mounted thereupon in transverse alignment with the receptacles connected to the aforementioned buses, and means for connecting the other bus on said first-named base to the bus on said last-named base.

10. A panel-board, comprising a plurality of base sections, bus bars on said sections adapted for connection to a source of supply, terminals on said base members, means whereby one of said bus members may be connected to a transversely extendin bus member on another base section, said last named base section being mounted adjacent to and in alignment with said first-named base section, branch-line terminals on each of said base sections, the terminals on said first-named base member being adapted for connection to two of said bus members and other branch-line terminals mounted on said second-named base member and being adapted for connection to said transversely extending bus member.

11. In a panel-board, an insulating base section having a )lurality of branch-line receptacles mountet thereupon on either side of a medial line thereof, a plurality of buses mounted substantially parallel to said medial line, means comprising single throw switches for connecting said receptacles to the immediately adjacent bus, another bus mounted transversely to said other buses on said base section, means for connectingsaid bus to one of said first-named buses, means for connecting to said transverse bus the receptacles adjacent thereto, another base section adapted for alignment with said firstnamed base section and having a bus mounted thereu on, branch-line receptacles on said secon -base section, and means for connecting said second-base section bus to one of said first-base-section buses.

12. In a panel-board, an insulatin base section having a plurality of branch-line receptacles mounted thereupon on either side of a medial line thereof, a plurality of buses mounted substantially parallel to said medial line, two of said buses being mounted on the receptacle face of said base and another of said buses being mounted on the other face thereof, means for connecting the first two buses to said receptacles, another base section aligned with said first section and having receptacles and a bus to which said receptacles may be connected mounted thereupon, and means for connecting said lastnamed bus to said second-named bus on said first-named base section, whereby any desired number of base sections may be embodied in said panel as dictated by the capacity thereof.

13. In the panel-board art, a panel-board comprising a plurality of basic units, circuit controlling equipments mounted-on said units for exclusive insertion in series into one line of each branch circuit connected to said panel-board, a second plurality of basic units, circuit controlling equipments mounted on said second set of units for exclusive insertion in series in the other line of each one of said branch circuits connected to said panel-board, and means for securing all of said units in an aligned built-up panelboard. 4

14. In the panel-board art, a panel-board comprising a basic unit, circuit controlling equipments mounted adjacent the lateral edges of said unit for exclusive insertion in series into one line of the branch circuit to be connected to said unit, a plurality of units having a lengthsubstantially equal to the width of the basic unit, circuit controlling apparatus mounted on said plurality of units for exclusive insertion in series in the other line of said branch circuit, and means for securing all of said units in an aligned built-u panel-board.

15. l ii the panel-board art, a panel-board comprising a basic panel unit, fuses and single throw switches mounted on same, said fuses and switches being disposed in substantially paralleling columns on either side of said unit and connected in series to one side of the branch circuit connected to said unit, a second basic unit, a plurality of fuse receptacles mounted on said unit, said fuse receptacles being adapted to be connected to the other lines of the branch circuits which are to be connected to said panel-board, said fuse receptacles being disposed at substantially right angles to the fuses and fuse receptacles of the first unit, the switches on cuit controlling equipment mounted on said second set of units at substantially right angles to the circuit controlling equipment of said first plurality of units, and means for securing all the units in an aligned, built-up panel-board.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

HENRY F. STARRETT. 

